gemma1712's blog

Doctors!!

2009-08-17T21:18:51Z

so i went to have my usual 3 monthly check up today with the same consultant i always see,I told her I have been having a lot of pain in the leg that i had the melanoma removed from it is constantly aching right up my leg&sometimes i get shooting pains this has been happening for the last 2 or 3 weeks.She didnt seem at all concerned as she said the melanoma i had was relatively thin,she said if the pains dont go away to go back and they will x-ray it!Surely she should just have sent me for an x-ray today rather than put it off until it gets worse!Im not saying it is anything sinister but surely it is better to be safe than sorry! Hope ur all well love Gemma xx

Life Insurance

2009-08-11T17:25:22Z

Hi, Does anuone know of any insurance companies that offer insurance to people who have suffered from cancer? I didnt have life cover when i was diagnosed with melanoma in october 2008 but have since tried to get it&have been rejected countless times! If anyone can help please let me know. Gemma xx

Race For Life/another mole!!

2009-05-10T21:17:47Z

Hey everyone! I did my very first race for life 2day&loved every minute of it!Although i must admit i did feel a bit emotional readining everyones reasons for taking part,its unreal how many peoples lives have been affected by cancer. I will defo be taking part next year. Its still not to let to take sponsors so if any of you have anything to spare please sponsor me at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/gemmawaddell Remember every little bit helps,nothing is 2 small. p.s I am getting my other "dodgy" mole removed 2moro so fingers crossed for me please Love Gemma xx

Moles!

2009-04-23T11:11:44Z

Hi guys! I am wondering if anyone can tell me,does a mole have to be dark in colour for it to be melanoma??this might sound like a daft question but when i saw the dermatologist when i was having my first mole removed she said that she would generally only be concerned if a mole was dark in colour. I had another mole that i asked her to check on my stomach which she said was fine as it was light in colour,however this mole has increased in size it is a lightish colour with dark flecks through it,it has irregular edges and now has a light ring around it.I was at my gp today and he is referring me to get it removed straight away as he is concerned about it!Im a bit confused as the dermatologist seemed to think it was ok when i seen her b4 xmas as it wasnt dark coloured!! I hope u can make sense of this,i do go on a bit! Gemma xx

confused!!

2009-02-19T15:49:58Z

Hi all, as most of you know i was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in october,had a wide excision and sentinel node biposy which was clear in december. I have now found a very small lump(like a hard pea) behind my left ear,i dont know if i should be worried about this.My melanoma was very thin so i dont really want to call my consultant about the lump incase he thinks im being dramatic!! any ideas?? Gemma xx

Race For Life

2009-02-11T09:50:54Z

Hey every1, as u all know i was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma.Fortunately for me they managed to remove it all&my lymph nodes were clear. I have decided to do the race for life in May to raise money for cancer research and hopefully 1 day they might find a cure or a treatment for melanoma. If you would like to sponsor me please click on the link below,remember no amount is too small!Its all for a great cause! http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/gemmawaddell Thank u Gemma xx

Results are back!

2009-01-17T18:32:15Z

Just to let u all know,i got the results back from the sentinel node biopsy and they are clear!!The relief i feel is immense! I have still to go see the surgeon on tuesday but im just glad i got the results back a bit earlier. The only problem im now having is i have a really awful pain in my right side,round about my rib cage,it started as a dull ache and has got gradually worse over the week i know that this might be totally unrelated to the melanoma but do you think it would be worth mentioning to the surgeon?I dont want to seem like a drama queen!

breslow/clark scale

2009-01-10T19:56:33Z

hey! Just a quick question to see if any1 can help me out here! My melanoma was measuring 0.63mm on the breslow scale&he dermatologist told me this was really good in terms of prognosis and that they would do the wide excision and that would be that,however when i went to see the surgeon he said that,infact,the melanoma was a clark scale 4 which was unexpected as it was so thin on the breslow scale this was his reason for doing the sentinel node biopsy!All these scales and numbers etc are confusing me,if it was a really good prognosis on the breslow why was it showing different on the clark???Has anyone else had the same thing?

awaiting results!

2009-01-10T01:03:12Z

I am currently awaiting results of a wide excision and a sentinel node biopsy that i had done after being diagnosed with melanoma. I had the op on 23rd dec and have an appointment with the consultant on the 20th jan which feels like a life time away! I have a 3 year old daughter who has kept me positive through all this and has been my reason for getting out of bed every day! I cant sleep at night(hence the reason i am on here 2am!)I guess its just with everything going through my head!I have done very well in staying positive etc but i must admit some days i have struggled!Noone seems to know what to say to me other than "stay positive" "keep your chin up" non sufferers just dont understand and i think thats the frustrating part! If any1 has any advice for me it would be much appreciated Much Love Gemma xx